The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 5 Part 17 Love Replaces Retaliation

Jesus explains the true meaning of the law of retaliation. 

Matthew 5:38-40  Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39)  But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40)  And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 

We studied Jesus' teaching about an eye for an eye and His application for His disciples to turn the other cheek.

Jesus continued by giving two additional examples of what it means to turn the other cheek.

A second example Jesus used concerned one man filing frivolous lawsuits against another man to profit at his expense. 

Jesus directed us not to respond by acting like the man who sued us. 

We are not to countersue in this example because Christ has shown we are to have forgiving hearts. 

In this case it is a question about property, and not about conscience and life.

It also helps us to understand the customs of those times.

People wore two principal garments, one interior and one that covered the exterior. 

The interior garment was called a “coat” and was made of linen and extended down to the knees. 

The coat extended upward to the neck. and could have long or short sleeves. 

Over this coat was commonly worn an upper garment, here called “cloke” or mantle.

Jesus said if an adversary sues you to take your garment, rather than contending with him, it is better to let him have the other garment also. 

As followers of Christ, our singular mission is spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and making disciples of Him in every nation.

Our heart should reflect a love for God and a love for others.

The Great Commission must remain our primary focus and Jesus is teaching us to put aside earthly distractions that may hinder the Great Commission.

Avoid doing anything that hinders the gospel of Jesus Christ going forward.

1 Corinthians 6:6-7  But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. 7)  Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? 

Jesus also spoke to us through His apostles and Paul chided the Corinthians for frequently suing each other over trivial things.

The apostle made it clear that they were wrong in suing each other. 

Their wrong thinking brought shame on the precious name of Jesus Christ. 

Their witness for Christ was tarnished by taking legal actions against each other.

Going the extra mile when someone forces us into serving them.

Matthew 5:41   And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 

A third example Jesus used concerns the practice of being conscripted into some form of duty by a soldier.

The phrase "shall compel thee to go" refers to the word "conscript."

A "conscript" is one who is forced into military service. 

The word translated “shall compel” has a Persian origin. 

In order to deliver a royal command safely throughout his vast empire, King Cyrus stationed horsemen at intervals on all major public roads. 

One horseman delivered the message to another so that the king's message was rapidly and safely communicated. 

The king's horsemen were permitted to compel anyone to help them. 

They had authority to use your horse or boat, if it was needed to quickly transmit the king’s commandments.

Roman soldiers followed a similar practice of conscription.  

Thus, Jesus said if you are compelled by a soldier to go one mile, then go two miles.

It is the idea of going above and beyond the bare minimum required.

This fostered a spirit of gracious community service instead of groaning and complaining about it like most people did.

As such, Jesus' instruction helped His disciples to have a strong witness for the gospel by displaying respect to the authorities over them.

We are to have a giving heart and generous spirit toward others.

Matthew 5:42  Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 

Jesus taught that we are to give every man, whether Jew or Gentile, friend or foe, believer or unbeliever.

This example refers to people who have a real need at a time that we are able to meet a need.

Jesus refers to people with real, short term needs who come to us for help.

We are to give when asked for help according to our ability.

The word "give" means giving something of your own accord that will bless the recipient.

Thus, we are not to turn away from those in need.

A changed heart is needed for a disciple to be a cheerful giver.

Isaiah 58:1-8    Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. 2)  Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. 3) Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. 4)  Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. 5)  Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? 6) Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? 7) Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? 8)  Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. 

God told His people what kind of fasting was pleasing to Him.  

The Israelites put on appropriate garments of sackcloth and bowed their heads down as indicators of humbling hearts.

Yet, they were guilty of oppressing the poor, and the rich would not supply the needs of the poor when they were able to meet them.

Therefore God said the kind of fasting that is acceptable to Him includes those who are able, to provide food, temporary shelter and clothing to the poor. 

This is a testimony to the world of the gospel at work in people's hearts to such a degree that they are cheerful givers with compassionate hearts. 

God promises blessing and future reward in heaven for those who live out this truth.

The able bodied are instructed to provide for their own family needs.

1 Timothy 5:8  But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 

However, this does not mean we must give money to an able bodied man who is too lazy to work.

God created us to work six days and rest on the Lord's day.

God rebukes those who are lazy and do not provide for themselves or their family. 

The Father provides for all humanity even though most are ungrateful.

Acts 14:15-17  And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: 16)  Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. 17)  Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. 

Our Father in heaven sends His life sustaining rain on both good people and bad ones.

He sends it to those who are grateful as well as those who never acknowledge His beneficial blessings.

In like manner, the Father gives us sunshine to cheer our hearts and to grow our crops.

He does this for those who love Him, for those who do not know Him and for those who rebel against Him.

He gives fruitful seasons and bountiful harvests to the world even though few praise and thank Him for it.

If someone asks us for food or money we are to give freely, readily, cheerfully, according to our ability to do so.

We cannot sacrifice our own needs and provision for our own family in doing this, but the idea is having a heart that is willing to meet needs. 

Giving or lending are two aspects of charity which Christ joins together and places on equal footing. 

All that we have studied in Matthew 5 will be summarized by Jesus in the last paragraph of this chapter.

Christ will show us that we must learn to love our enemies. 

If we learn to live how Christ wants us to live, then we will not commit adultery, murder, lie or lack compassion for those in need.

Let us thank God for such clear instruction about His kingdom and let us seek to live in compliance with the King's example and will.

The world is full of misery, injustice and affliction and in many places Christians are harshly persecuted.

Let us pray for one another and let us be those who share the gospel with people who do not know Christ.

Let us praise God for His Son, His Word and His indwelling Spirit.

Bob

P.S

There is a new Christian video on YouTube titled "Disciples In The Moonlight."

This pictures an America where hate speech laws are used against Bible believing Christians.

Churches are shut down and forced to meet secretly.

Christians are characterized and vile criminals and relentlessly hunted down.

Only modern Bibles are permissible to use because they remove any language that they disagree with.

Those who hang on to the KJV are sought after and KJV Bibles are burned.

It is a very thought provoking movie that deals with the massive spiritual decline in America.

If you can understand English, I urge you to watch the video.